Consultation on an Expanded Approach to Odour Management

Francis Ries, P.Eng.ACTING PROGRAM MANAGER, AIR QUALITY BYLAW & REGULATION DEVELOPMENT

Webinar, April 17, 201825129802

1:00 Welcome and Introductions1:05 Presentation1:20 Questions and feedback1:55 Next steps and closing remarks2:00 Meeting closes

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Meeting Agenda

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Presentation Outline• Odorous emissions and

sources• Regulatory context• Proposed approaches to

odour management• Consultation program and

next steps

• Characterized by frequency, intensity, duration, offensiveness (unpleasantness), location: FIDOL

• Recognized as a nuisance, but can also lead to health impacts

• Nausea, eye irritation, headaches, sleep problems and respiratory symptoms

• mood, anxiety and stress levels• Loss of enjoyment of property, outdoor activities

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Impacts of odour

• Complaints about odours increasing, and densification likely to exacerbate this issue

• Majority of AQ complaints received by MV are related to odour

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Odour management: a regional priority

Year Odour Complaints/year % of total2011‐15 1,700 80%

2016 3,800 92%

2017 4,200 93%

• As AQ regulator, committed to working with communities, businesses, government partners to ensure odours are managed responsibly

• Improvements to current Odour Management Framework are needed to effectively and responsibly manage odours in a way that:

• Respects community values• Recognizes the value business provides to the region

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Odour management: Metro Vancouver’s role

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Sources of odour in Metro Vancouver

• Waste management facilities• Food, feed, beverage processing and

handling• Industrial and agricultural activities• Other

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Metro Vancouver Air Quality Regulatory Structure

BC Environmental Management Act

(Section 31)

MV Air Quality Management Bylaw 1082

MV Air Quality Management Fees

RegulationBylaw 1083

MV Air Quality Management Bylaw 1082

MV Air Quality Management Bylaw 1082

MV Air Quality Sectoral Bylaws

(6)

MV Air Quality Management Bylaw 1082

MV Air Quality Management Bylaw 1082

MV Air Quality Permits(150+)

Cover >1000 sites

• Sector-specific regulations• Air emissions permits• Assessment and measurement of odorous air

contaminants• Complaint response• Guidance documents• Community relations and outreach

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Current Odour Management Framework

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Expanded approach for managing odour

1. Outcome-based criteria2. Performance-based criteria3. Technology requirements4. Economic instruments5. Bylaw definitions

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1. Outcome-based criteriaOdour levels would be assessed at or beyond the property line to determine compliance with Metro Vancouver’s objectives.

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1. Outcome-based criteriaMeasurable criteria:• Ambient air quality criteria for

odorous air contaminants• Complaint criteria• Criteria for on-site field

observations

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2. Performance-based criteriaOdour levels would be measured at the facility to determine if odorous emissions are in compliance with Metro Vancouver’s bylaws.

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2. Performance-based criteriaMeasurable criteria:• quantitative emission limits in

permits or regulations• limits on individual contaminant

emissions• limits on aggregate odour

emissions (e.g. via dynamic olfactometry)

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3. Technology requirementsFacilities would be required to install specific technology and/or use best practices to comply with Metro Vancouver’s bylaws.

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3. Technology requirementsPotential requirements:• conditions for design, operation,

maintenance, management of site infrastructure

• best achievable technology requirements

• best management practices requirements

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4. Economic instrumentsMetro Vancouver would structure the fee system to encourage facilities to reduce emissions of odorous air contaminants.

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4. Economic instrumentsPotential instruments:• Introduce incentives for

control technology

• Apply administrative fees for odour assessment

• Recover costs based on authorized discharge levels

Clarifying Metro Vancouver’s core Air Quality Bylaws:• Add definitions to Bylaw 1082 and Bylaw 1083

to clarify provisions for regulating odorous air contaminants

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5. Bylaw definitions

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Regulatory Process Flow

• Discussion Paper• Stakeholder consultation• Draft regulatory proposal(s)• Stakeholder consultation• Final Regulation(s)• Regulatory Implementation

Today

2017

2018

Board

Board

Board

Board

Board

February to April 27, 2018• Presentations• Meetings with stakeholders• Focused discussions• Webinar• Online feedback formWe invite feedback to AQBylaw@metrovancouver.org

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Seeking Input

Questions or Comments?